It’s been an intense couple of weeks as the teams who made it to the playoffs put their sweat and soul into what could ultimately earn them a champion title. This past weekend wrapped up the playoff season with two extremely shocking games. 

In the AFC, the Denver Broncos played the New England Patriots and boy was it intense! Payton Manning was on top of every play (unlike his last game) leading the team 17-9  all through the first half. As third quarter came around, the Broncos offense slipped up on their many chances to score a few touchdowns, but their defense didn’t back down. As they continued to defend their position on the scoreboard, the Patriots were surprisingly playing a weaker game than usual. In fact, Tom Brady’s (Patriots Quarterback) right hand man, Rob Gronkowski, was sent off the field with severe cramps halfway in the game. This cost them a tough 1-2 quarters, so they brought him back as the game was coming to a close and sure enough, there was no turning back. The Patriots were able to keep the ball in there possession for a good portion of the 4th quarter as Brady pushed his team down to the wire. With 17 seconds left on the clock, the Patriots scored a touchdown leaving the game at 18-20. They were yet to score their seventh point – which would still leave them one point behind- so they settled for a two-point conversion. It was risky, but surely do-able for a player like Brady. Unfortunately for him, the Broncos defense stopped them. That was it. The Broncos would go to the Super Bowl. 

In the NFC, the Carolina Panthers played the Arizona Cardinals – or more like creamed them.  For a team who made it this far in the playoffs, it was awfully surprising to see them fall short of their capabilities. All throughout the game, the Cardinals lost possession of the ball. They were clearly not playing like a team, or their strategy was really just that bad. Carson Palmer, quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, constantly threw the ball without judging the situation, resulting in a total of 7 turnovers – He hasn’t even had that many touchdown passes the entire season! It was evident that Arizona’s heads weren’t in the game – Carolina on the other hand was a completely different story. Cam Newton, Panthers quarterback and likely MVP for 2016, and the rest of the players displayed commendable teamwork from start to finish. Their defense was consistent, especially in intercepting almost every throw Palmer made, and their offense worked tirelessly as a team to get the ball in the end zone. Of course, Newton shined the brightest becoming the first player in the NFL to throw for 300 plus yards and run for numerous touchdowns. In the end, the score read Panthers 49-15. 

All in all, It’s a shame Arizona didn’t see a better way around the Panthers. If not a victory, at least the score would’ve been more reasonable. Similarly, Gronkowski’s injury was definitely a setback for the Patriots, costing them the game and what could have been a Super Bowl Title – not like they don’t have enough already.

However the Broncos kept fighting till the last minute and emerged victorious! (It makes me wonder why the Texans can’t make a come-back like that!) With that kind of perseverance, the Panthers may have to face a tough competitor.

Right now the money’s big on the Carolina Panthers, considering Cam Newton’s sharp skills and the Panthers underdog title, but you can never be too sure! In fact, you would think almost no one would be cheering for the Denver Broncos, but people just can’t get enough of Payton Manning. After being in the NFL for over 20 years, his legendary performance has won him place in the hearts of many. Guess we’ll have to wait and see who comes out on top as NFL’s 2016 Super Bowl Champion!

The Super Bowl 50 will be held in the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. ET, airing on CBS. It’s going to an evening filled with great food, drinks, commercials (let’s hope they’re actually funny this year), family, and friends. And if that’s not enough, the halftime show features some of your favorite artists! As far as we all know, Coldplay is confirmed, but rumor has it that artists like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Adam Levine, or even Bruno Mars may make a special appearance. What can get better than that?!

So buy your jerseys and mark your calendars because Super Bowl Sunday is right around the corner!